Lighter



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June 22, 1954 R. E. PETERSON LIGHTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 26, 1949 INVENTOR. IOBI EPee/:son/

.ATTOBNEYS Patented June 22, 1954 LIGHTER Robert E. Peterson, New York, N. Y., assignor to Repeter Products, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 26, 1949, Serial No. 117,841

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a lighter. More particularly the present invention relates to a pyrophoric lighter of a type especially suitable for the proper and efficient combustion of a gaseous fuel.

In co-pending application Serial No. 553,701, led September 12, 1944, on which United States Patent No. 2,482,794 issued September 27, 1949, to Robert E. Peterson, there is disclosed a lighter capable of efficiently burning a gaseous fuel such as propane, butane or a suitable mixture thereof.

The lighter disclosed in the aforementioned application includes as one of its features a carbureting device for intimately admixing the gaseous fuel with air to form a combustiblemixture, a mixing chamber which receives the gas and air mixture from the carbureting device and a combustion chamber together with a suitable igniting mechanism.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved form of operating mechanism for a lighter of the type referred to, which will ensure proper coordination between the carburetion of gaseous fuel and operation of an ignitng mechanism.

A second general object of the present invention is to provide a novel timing mechanism which will suitably delay the operation of the igniting mechanism so as to establish the proper phase relationship between the opening of a gas valve and the operation of the igniting mechanism, both of these mechanisms being operated manually by the same means.

A third object of the present invention is to provide in a gas lighter, which includes a control valve, a manually operated means effective to initially energize a spring or its equivalent operative to rotate an igniting mechanism, thereafter open a gas valve and nally rel-ease the spring for the operation of the igniting mechanism so that a proper combustible mixture will be produced prior to the igniting mechanism operation.

A. fourth object of the present invention is to provide a novel gas valve for a gas fuel lighter, which serves as a pressure regulating mechanism.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the lighter of the present invention partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken generally along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken generally along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the combustion closure member Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the manually operated push buttons and operating rack assembly;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the Hint wheel clutch;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section of the upper half of the lighter showing the pressure regulator. combustion chamber and operating mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a section taken generally along the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the operating parts in a second position;

Fig. 1l is a detail section taken generally along the line l l-l I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail similar to Fig. 11 taken generally along the line IZ-IZ of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a detail of a portion of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a section taken generally along the line Id-M of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail of the supporting .member for the operating spring;

Fig. 16 is a transverse section of the spring supporting member illustrating the association of the spring therewith;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 illustrating the spring and associated parts in a second position;

Fig. 18 is a View similar to Figs. 16 and 1.7 show- `ing the spring and associated parts in a. third position;

Fig. 19 is a view partly in section of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 20 is an illustration of a modified form of cartridge partly in section.

Referring to the figures 0f the drawing, and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, the lighter of the present invention is indicated in general at lll. The lighter It is provided with an upper casing portion Il adapted to receive a cartridge l2 and provided with a lower cover portion fitting over the cartridge and indicated at I3. The upper end of the casing I2 is provided with a pair of openings I4 and i5 arranged to receive the slidably manually operable push buttons it and il, respectively. The top of the casing member H is also provided with a combustion port I8 and fitted within the top of the lighter case is a closure member for the combustion port, best shown in Fig. 5 and indicated at 9. The closure member i9, as shown, is of a general U-shape 3 in cross-section, being provided on each of its edges with the downwar ly Yextending racks 20 and 2i. It is also provided with an opening 22 which, when. properly positioned in alignment with the opening it, serves to permit passageoi heat and iiarne from the upper end of the lighter. The cartridge i2, as best shown in Fig. S for example, is provided with a tubular member 23 extending longitudinally through the cartridge top and bottom to form a passage for the conventional iiint 2t and also to house the flint spring 2b. The cartridge may also be provided with a reinorcing member 26 which preferably welded inside the cartridge and provided with suitable large openings 2 for the passage of the tube 23 therethrough and with a plurality of smaller openings iS throughout the length thereof to permit unobstructed passage or liquied gas from one portion oi the cartridge to the other. The top "t i the cartridge is also provided with an integral nipple 3G provided with a sealing member Si held in position as by a threaded annulus 32, the sealing member 3i normally serving to seal the discharge opening 33. However, as may be understood, the sealing member 3l may be punctured as by a hollow needle 3 when the cartridge l?. is assembled with the remainder of the lighter.

In my copending application Serial No. 117,842 filed .September 25, 1949, I have pointed out the problems and difficulties arising from the use of a low boiling point liquid fuel such as liquid propane. In the same application I have also described one type of automatic pressure regulating device that solves the problems and obviates the dilhculties. I have found that under certain circumstances it is advantageous to coin- Vbine with the pressure regulating device a valve which responds to manual igniting operation of the lighter. This combined valve and pressure regulator will now be described.

Positioned within the lighter is a suitable housing member 35 for the combined valve and pressure regulator indicated in general at and the upper end of the needle ii is preferably suitably supported by the lower end of the housing 35 as by welding or soldering as indicated at v S5. Within the housing and about theupper end of the needle t a suitable spiral spring 3l is provided which serves to normally support the ball 3S forming a part of the ball valve assembly including the ball 33 and the sealing disc 39. A lter 36o is preferably disposed betweenthe top .of needle t# and the bottom or spring 3'! to filter the gas flowing into the regulator. shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the spring 37 is supporting the ball 3S in valve closing position, i. e. in rrn sealing relationship to the sealing member or gasket 39. The gasket 35i is provided withV a suitable opening to permit the passage of gas therethrough when the ball 38 is in nonsealing or open position, as shown in Fig. 10. A suitable valve stern it extends through the opening in the gasket and through another opening within the bushing zii. The bushing @il is provided with an interior bore `ft2 which forms a pressure regulating chamber. The upper end of the stem de is integral with a rivet member i3 fitted into a second member ed. The two members serve to clamp a diaphragm i5 therebetween. The periphery oi the diaphragm lid is held between the bushing il .and a second bushing it, each of the bushings being iitted into the bore d'1 in the casing member. Also fitted into the bore t? is a cap member 48 which is fitted about a reduced end A9 of the bushing 45. The cap member 48 is provided with a centra-l opening 5S. Extending through the central opening 5!! is a jet tube 5l which communicates with a bore 52 within the member lili. The bore 52 also serves to receive a portion 53 on the lower rivet member t3. Seated on the portion 53 is a iilter plate 5ft which serves to lter gas passing through the bore 55 in the rivet member 43. Bearing on the upper end of the cap $8 is an operating lever 56 pivoted to the casing at 5l. When the operating lever 56 is moved downwardly or in a clockwise direction about the pivot 51 the cap 48 is depressed. This action is communicated to the upper member 4d by the spring 58 mounted about the upper end of the member t4. The operating lever 5S is moved about the pivot'i bythe tail E9 of the operator EB, the upper end of the operator 6i! being provided with a circular opening t! cooperating with an eccentric 52. The eccentric B2 is mounted for rotation on the shaft S3 and is fastened as by the pins '6d and t5 to the drum 5E forming a part of the shaft 63. rIhe eccentric 62 is also keyed to the drum 56 as well as the pinion 5l' by the pin SB (see Fig. 11i). As best shown in Fig. 14, the pinion Sl also serves to retain in position the operating member Sii which is freely movable upwardly and downwardly between the pinion til', a member 52 having an offset gear segment l@ at the upper end thereof. is also provided with a plurality of openings 'il which receive one end 'l2 of a coil spring 73, the spring 'i3 being mounted about a sleeve 'i4 rotatably mounted about the drum 66. Also mounted about the drum 55 and capable of movement relative thereto is a rear Ymember 'I5 provided with a gear segment 'it at the upper end there-of. The teeth of the gear segment 'i5 are in aligrunent with the teeth of the gear segment 'i0 and each of the respective gear segments are in mesh with the racks 28 and 2|, respectively, of the closure member i9. The back member 'l5 is held in position by the pinion k'Vl which is similar to the pinion E? and is keyed to the drum 66 by the pin i8 so as to be movable with the drum @6 and the shaft 63. The sleeve 'i4 is provided with a cutaway portion i9, best shown in Figs. 14. to 18, inclusive. It will also be noted that the drum 66 and shaft 63 are provided with a bore B for receiving the inner end tl of the spring i3. The inner end 8| of the spring passes through the cutaway portion 'i9 and the cutaway portion, therefore, permits a certain amount of relative movement between the sleeve 'ifi and the drum S5.

Referring once again to Figs. 8 and l0J it will be noted that the lower end of member t9 is provided with a generally downwardly extending face t2 and, as shown in Fig. 8, a dog S3 is in contact with the face 82 and prevents any movement of the member 69 in a clockwise direction. The dog 83 is journaled for sliding movement in the block tft which is suitably fixed in the lighter casing.

is bifurcated to provide a notch 85 (Fig. ll)

which receives a spring 86 normally tending toA hold the dog in its upward position, as shown in Fig. S and Fig. 12. The operating member 69, in addition to the tail 59, is also provided with a second tail Si which is normally positioned just above the dog S3, as shown in Fig. 8. Downward movement of the operating member 6G. however, will move the dog 83 down- The member 69V The lower end of the dog wardly to release the member 69, as shown in Fig.10.

The previously described push buttons I6 and |'I are each provided with suitable racks which serve to mesh with and rotate the pinions 51 and Tl. Referring, for example, to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the push button Il is provided with a rack 90 which normally meshes with the upper portion of the pinion 61. A second rack is also provided, which similarly meshes with the upper portion of the pinion TI. Similarly the push button IB is provided with a pair of racks S2 and 93 which mesh with the bottom sides of the pinions B1 and TI, respectively. The push buttons I 6 and are normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 8 by the springs 94 and 95, respectively, which are retained at their inner ends within the notches 96 and 91 in the block 34. The intermediate section of the springs 94 and 95 are Wound about the pins 95 and 91, each suitably fastened at their ends to the push buttons I6 and II, respectively.

The rack members 20 and 2| on the closure member I9 also serve to rotate a flint wheel |00 which is rotatably journaled on a shaft I0 I. The flint wheel is provided at one of its faces with ratchet teeth |02 cooperating with a pawl |03 struck out of the body of a clutch disc |04. The clutch disc |04 in turn is mounted to rotate with a pinion |05 rotatable with the shaft IOI. A similar pinion |06 is also provided which similarly rotates with the shaft |0I. Each of the pinions |05 and |06 mesh with the racks 20 and 2|, respectively, of the closure member IS.

Referring once again to the jet 5 I, which serves to initially supply gas from the valve structure previously described, it will be noted that the upper end of the jet 5| (Figs. 8 and 10) terminates within the Venturi tube I le. The Venturi tube I I0 serves as a primary mixing zone or carbureting device for air which is drawn into the tube by the action of the high speed gas emitted from the upper end of the jet 5I. The primary mixture of gas and air thus produced is fed into a mixing chamber provided with a cover member I|2 having a plurality of openings II3 therein. The gas, after thorough admixture with air, is fed through the holes |I3 into the combustion chamber I4 for ignition by the igniting mechanism just described. The ame produced in the combustion chamber may be utilized for lighting purposes through the combustion opening I8.

In Figs. 19 and 20 a modified form of the device is shown, wherein the pressure regulator and valve P is mounted to form an integral part of a modied cartridge |I5. As best shown in Fig. 20, it will be noted that in this form the cartridge is substantially larger than in the form heretofore described, thus permitting the use of a larger cartridge. The needle 34 may also be omitted since the valve structure in this form forms a part of the cartridge and will normally be closed to retain the gas therein. However, when inserted within the lighter the lever 55 will similarly be capable of depressing the cap 48, as previously described.

It is also important in this form of cartridge to provide the reinforcing member 25 hereinabove described with respect to Fig. 2. Through the provision of this reinforcing member or strip 26 bellying of the sides of the cartridge by reason of the substantial pressures to which the cartridge will be subjected when charged is precluded. It is particularly important that this bellying be obviated where the cartridge contains the pressure regulator P in view of the fact that the pressure regulator is necessarily a rather sensitive device that would be in all probability thrown out of adjustment if subjected to the process and inevitably result in bellying of the cartridge sides.

Operation In operating the lighter of the present invention the push buttons I6 and I'I are pressed inwardly relative to the casing, carrying with them the racks 90 and 9| which mesh with the upper portions of the pinions 61 and respectively, and also the racks 92 and 93 which mesh with the lower portions of the aforesaid pinions. This action rotates the pinions in a clockwise direction, similarly rotating the shaft 63 and drum 66. The rst action occurring upon this rotation of the pinions and the shaft 63 is the rotation of the eccentric 62. This causes the operator 60 to move downwardly so that the tail 59 of the operator is also moved downwardly to move the operating lever 56 in a downward direction or clockwise direction about the pivot 51. 'I'he movement of the lever 56 in turn moves the cap 48 downwardly and serves to compress the spring 58 which forces the member 44 downwardly until the diaphragm 45 is in the position of Fig. 10. This action moves the stem 40 and the ball 38 downwardly to permit flow of gas through the needle 34 and around the stem 40, thence through the bore 55 and the lter 54 and finally through the jet 5I. The rapid passage of gas through the jet 5| promotes a flow of air through the Venturi tube |I0 and the mixture of gas and air is thoroughly mixed in the chamber III and iinally fed to the combustion chamber I I4, At the same time that this action is taking place and prior to the actual opening of the valve the spring 'I3 is being wound or tensioned. This action may best be understood by referring to Figs. 16 to 18, inclusive. As may be understood from these gures, rotation of the pinions I'I and moves the shaft 53 and the end 8| of the spring from the position shown in Fig. 16 to the position shown in Fig. 17. This serves to energize the spring 13. The movement of the other end of the spring 12 and the members 69 and 15 is prevented at this time by the engagement of the dog 83 with the surface 82. However, as the operating member 50 moves downward and after the opening of the valve to supply combustion gas, the dog 83 is moved downwardly to release the member Gil, The member 69 then moves with the sleeve 'I4 so that the sleeve occupies the position of Fig. 18. This movement of the sleeve and gear segments similarly moves the closure member I9 to the right uncovering the opening I3 and rotating the pinions |05 and |05 of the igniting mechanism. The rotation of the pinions |85 and |05 through the pawl |03 and ratchet teeth |02 will rotate the flint wheel |50 to supply the spark to the combustion chamber ||4, thus igniting the gas and air mixture. Release of the push buttons `I6 and I'I will force them outwardly under the influence of the springs 94 and 95 to reverse the rotation of the Various parts described and restore the lighter to its original condition. It will be noted that the pressure regulator and valve structure P not only functions to open the valve but also functions as a pressure regulator te prevent the passage of gas through the jet 5| at excessive pressures as pointed out in greater detail in myy copending application Serial No. 117,842 filed Septemberl 26, 1949. Thus, anyV excessive pressure at' the diaphragm 45 willv tend to move the same upwardly from the position of Fig. 10. This upward movement against the action of spring 58 will tend to bring the ball 38 upwardly to close the valve. The pressure of gas, therefore, through the jet will be determined by the strength of the spring 58 and/or the relative strength of spring 58 andspring 3l.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit ofV the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle for a low-boiling-point liquied fuel, which is maintained in its liquid form by reason of its own vapor pressure, a combustion outlet for said fuel, valve means communicating with said supply means and said combustion outlet, said valve means when open supplying fuel at constant pressure to said combustion outlet, pyrophoric ignition means adjacent said combustion outlet and operative to ignite said fuel therein upon movement thereof, energizable means movable to and from energized condition for moving said ignition means upon release from energized position, latch means for retaining said energizable means in energized. position andl manually operable means cooperating with said energizable means, said valve means and said latch means and' movable to initially energize said energizable means, further movable to open said valve means and thereafter movable to release said latch means.

2. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle for a low-boiling-point liquied fuel, which is maintained in its liquid form by reason of its own vapor pressure, a combustion outlet forburning said fuel, valve means communicating with said supply means and said combustion outlet, vsaid valve means' when open supplying fuel to said combustion outlet at constant pressure, pyrophoric ignition means adjacent said combustion outlet and operative to ignite said fuel therein upon movement thereof, means for moving said ignition means, a spring having one of its ends cooperating with said lastmentioned means to render last-mentioned means operative to move said ignition means when said spring is energized, latch means for retaining said last-mentioned means in operative condition, and manually operable means cooperating with a second end of said spring, said valve means, and said latch means and movable to initially move said second end of said spring to energize said spring, further movable to open said valve and thereafter movable to release said latch means.

3. In a portable lighter including a casing, a combustion chamber for gaseous fuel within said casing, a receptacle for gaseous fuel within said casing provided with a frangible outlet element, means to connect said receptacle to said combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting fuel in. said chamber and manually operative means for operating said ignition means, a valve means forming a part of said connecting means and comprising a valve member movable to open said valve means, movable means adjacent said valve memberA connected tov saidY manually operative'.A

means to be moved thereb-y, spring means interposed between said movable means and said valve member to transmit movement of said manually actuated means thereto, pressure responsive means to move said valve member against the action of said spring means to close said valve member and a hollow needle-like member forming a part of said connecting means, extending from said valve means and adapted to be forced through said frangible element to establish communication between the interior of said receptacle and said valve means.

e. In a portable lighter including a casing, acombustion chamber for gaseous fuel within said casing, a receptacle for gaseous fuel within said casing, `means to connect said receptacle to said combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting fuel in said chamber and manually operative means for operating said ignition means, a. valve means within said receptacle forming `part of said connecting means and comprising a valve member movable to open said valve, movable means adjacent said valve member connected to said manually operative means to be moved thereby, spring means interposed between said movable means and said valve member to transmit the movement of said manually actuated means thereto, and pressure responsive means to move said valve member against the action of said spring means to close said valve member.

5. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a fuel supply means for gaseous fuel, a combination chamber for burning said fuel, valve means communieating with said supply means and said combustion chamber for supplyingfuel to said combustion chamber when opened, pyrophoric ignition means adjacent said combustion chamber and operative to ignite said fuel therein upon movei ment thereof, rotatable means connected to said ignition means for moving. the same upon rotation thereof, cam means mounted concentrically with said rotatable means and movable relative thereto, a spring having one of its ends connected to said cam means and the other of its ends connected to `said rotatable means, latch means for preventing rotation of said rotatable means, means operated by said cam means and including one `portion operative to open said valve means, and a second portion operative to release said latch means, and manually operable means connected to said rotatable cam means for rotating the same relative to said rotatable means to energizesaid spring and open said valve and thereafter to release said latch means.

6. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a fuel supply means for gaseous fuel, a combinationchamyber for burning said fuel, valve means communieating with said supply means and said combustion chamber for supplying fuel to said -combustion chamber when opened, pyrophoric ignition means adjacent said combustion chamber and operative to ignite said fuel therein upon movement thereof, rotatable means connected to said ignition means for moving the same upon rotation thereof, cam means mounted concentrically with said rotatable means and movable relative thereto, a springhaving one of its ends connected to said cam means and the other of its ends connected to said rotatable means, `latch means having a portion projecting into the path of rotation of said rotatable means and spring urged to normally Iprevent rotation of said rotatablemeans,

movable means cooperating with said cam mea-ns and includinga relatively long portion operative upon movement to open said valve means and a second relatively short Iportion cooperating with said latch means and operative upon movement to move said latch means to release said rotatable means and manually operable means connected to said rotatable clam means for rotating the same relative to said rotatable means to energize said spring and simultaneously move said movable means to initially open said valve and thereafter release said latch means.

7. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a fuel supply means for gaseous fuel, a combustion chamber for burning said fuel, valve means communicating with said supply means and said combustion chamber for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber when opened, a lever for operating said valve means, pyrophoric ignition means adjacent said combustion chamber and operative to ignite said fuel therein upon movement thereof, rotatable means connected to said ignition means for moving the same upon rotation thereof, said rotatable means being rotatably mounted upon a shaft, an eccentric mounted upon said shaft and movable therewith, a springl having one of its ends connected to said shaft and the other of its ends connected to said rotatable means, latch means for preventing rotation of said rotatable means and means cooperating with said eccentric and moved thereby, said last-mentioned means including one portion cooperating with said valve lever and a second portion cooperating with said latch means whereby upon movement of said shaft said spring is energized and said last-mentioned means is moved to open said valve and release said latch means.

8. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a fuel supply means for gaseous fuel, a casing having an opening therein, a combustion chamber adjacent said opening for burning said fuel, a closure member for said opening movable to uncover the same, valve means communicating with said supply means and said combustion chamber for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber when opened, pyrophoric ignition means adjacent said combustion chamber and operative to ignite said fuel therein upon movement thereof, energizable means movable to and from energized position for moving said ignition means upon release from energized position and simultaneously movingI said closure member, latch means for retaining said energizable means in energized position and manually operable means cooperating with said energizable means, said valve means and said latch means and movable to initially energize said energizable means, further movable to open said valve means and thereafter movable to release said latch means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,544,854 Mueller et al July 7, 1925 1,828,887 Aronson Oct. 27, 1931 1,863,958 Wulff et al June 21, 1932 2,019,435 Blair Oct, 29, 1935 2,053,455 Whittaker Sept. 8, 1936 2,153,432 Reich Apr. 4, 1939 2,447,067 Hamilton Aug. 17, 1948 2,482,794 Peterson Sept. 27, 1949 2,495,345 Quercia et al. Jan. 24, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,826 Great Britain Dec. 5, 1912 

